In recent years, the world has witnessed the devastating effects of climate change. From extreme weather events to rising global temperatures, our planet is facing an environmental crisis. In the face of this challenge, it is crucial that we take steps towards sustainability and find innovative solutions to adapt and mitigate climate change. One such solution is the establishment of eco-school gardens in schools, promoting climate-smart agriculture and life skills for children—FH Cambodia supports 17 eco-school gardens in Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey.
What is Eco-School Garden?
It is a suitable practical and learning place for children in school that focuses on agricultural life skills such as planting crops and trees, raising poultry, and aquaculture activities, as well as applying climate-smart agriculture principles for climate change adaptation and mitigation. These gardens use environmentally friendly practices such as composting, botanic and physical pest control, and water conservation techniques. By applying eco-gardens, students can learn and practice climate-smart agriculture techniques in school and apply them in their home gardens to minimize their carbon footprint.
The Importance of Eco-School Garden
1. Educational Opportunities: Eco-school gardens provide hands-on learning experiences for students. It offers a unique opportunity for students to understand the importance of sustainable agriculture, climate-smart agriculture techniques, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Moreover, The children apply their class lessons like mathematics, reading instructions, and writing into practice in eco-school garden practicals, from reading the technical lessons and instruction to calculating the area and inputs, then recording the process, and finally reporting the results.
2. Promoting Healthy Eating Habits: By growing vegetables and herbs, eco-gardens encourage students to eat fresh, nutritious food. This can help combat the rising obesity rates and promote a healthier lifestyle.
3. Environmental Awareness: Eco-school gardens raise awareness about the importance of conservation, biodiversity, and the impact of climate change. Students learn about the role of plants in carbon sequestration and how they can contribute to mitigating climate change.
4. Community Engagement: Eco-school gardens create a sense of community by involving students and teachers in gardening. It fosters teamwork and collaboration while also providing a space for intergenerational learning.
Learning Life Skills through Gardening
Eco-school gardens offer a unique platform for children to develop various life skills. From teamwork and problem-solving to patience and responsibility, gardening provides a hands-on learning experience beyond textbooks and traditional classroom settings.
Students learn the importance of nurturing and caring for living organisms by tending to plants. They witness the impact of their actions as they watch seeds sprout, plants grow, and vegetables ripen. This process instills a sense of pride and achievement, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
Climate Smart Agriculture: A Step Towards Sustainability
Incorporating climate-smart agriculture practices within school eco-gardens teaches children about sustainable farming methods and equips them with the knowledge to combat climate change. Climate-smart agriculture focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water resources, promoting biodiversity, applying techniques to resilience to the changes, and increasing productivity.
Students can witness firsthand how their actions contribute to a healthier environment and future agriculture production by implementing composting, water conservation, and companion planting techniques. These practices benefit the garden and translate into real-life skills that can be applied with their parents at home.